Annual Survey of the American Public by the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and The Children's Health Fund Survey administered by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. September 2008

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions - particularly among
African-American and Hispanic children living in poverty. For most newly diagnosed children,
T2DM is associated with obesity. The Children=s Health Fund is committed to public health
action to prevent overweight and obesity, and in so doing prevent T2DM. For children at risk, we
must develop more effective screening and earlier intervention to limit the often devastating
consequences of diabetes, which may include eye disorders such as blindness, cataracts and
glaucoma; circulatory disorders and heart disease; nerve damage; toe, foot and leg amputations;
and kidney failure.